After having covered the World Solar Challenge for the third time/sixth year, I have to declare that the Dutch (from Netherlands) really know how to party and race solar cars! Not only are the first two places being occupied by the Dutch, Nuon Solar Team is coming in first this year and last time (2013).Their enthusiasm is infectious. Their energy level is uplifting. For centuries, the Dutch have had to deal with much of their endowed geographic position below the sea level. Such rigorous trials and tribulations may have contributed to their engineering prowess reflected in their design for solar cars. So goes the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This year one person, Professor Wubbo Ockels, from the Nuon Solar Team, is conspicuously missing. After talking to the team members, I found out that Professor Ockels passed away in 2014. Professor Ockels, we hope that you are enjoying World Solar Challenge 2015 from up there, cheering and laughing with all of us. In his memory, I’d like to invite you all to view this post and visit www.happyenergy.com .

Tokai University and University of Michigan have been perennial top finishers for many years. Stanford University’s Stanford Solar Car Project, Punch Powertrain Solar Team, and GAMF Hungary have all made great strides. These teams have given much hope for all of those who participate in World Solar Challenge. As the world of solar energy technology continues to evolve, much remains to be seen for future races. For example, perovskite-based solar technology may bring huge gains to solar cells in the future. If interested, please refer to these links below for more on perovskite-based solar technology:

Dear Friends, Visitors/Viewers/Readers,

(Please click on red links & note magenta)

It took a bit more time for Sun Is The Future team to upload this particular video above because we’re trying something new…a bit of time spent for learning curve. We want to make sure that all teams’ solar cars would be presented/included here. Hope you have or will enjoy this video above. Please feel free to share it with others. We have so far reached readers/viewers in 193 countries. We want every single nation on earth think about using solar energy! Help us to spread the Sunshine!

We would also like to take this opportunity to share a terrific concept (–>Click), Value of Solar, succinctly explained by Karl Rabago. Value of Solar is the most cost effective and fair way for our world to transition into a sustainable future quickly. If you’d like to have a more in-depth understanding of Value of Solar, please also visit (–>Click) Expanded Discussion on Value of Solarand/or contact Karl Rabago at: karl@rabagoenergy.com.

Day 2, Oct. 19, 2015, the reports below:

Day 3, Oct. 20, 2015, the report below:

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, we’ve been informed that Red One of Solar Team Twente (Team #21 from Netherlands), is leading and the Nuna8 of Nuon Solar Team (Team #3 from Netherlands) are only separated by 2 kms ( Pretty amazing consider the fact that they’ve traveled 2,160 kms. ), passing Alice Springs. Then followed by Aurum of Univeristy of Michigan Solar Car Team (Team #2 from United States). There’s been alternating leading team, so it remains to be seen as to which team will be the first to arrive in Adelaide either tomorrow (Wed., Oct. 21, 2015) or the day after (Thurs., Oct. 22, 2015).

NUNA 7 of Nuon Solar Team of Delft University of Technology(Netherlands), Leading By The End of First Day (Oct. 6, 2013) of the World Solar Challenge 2013 (solar car race) in Challenger Class (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

Below is the video of beginning of the World Solar Challenge 2013 (Oct. 6, 2013), in front of the Parliament House at Darwin, Australia.

ARROW1 of Team Arrow of Queensland University of Technology (Australia) seen on Oct. 5, 2013, after dynamic scrutineering process at Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex at Darwin, Australia (Credit sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

ARROW1 of Team Arrow of Queensland University of Technology (Australia) at starting line on Oct. 6, 2013, in front of the Parliament House of Darwin, Australia, also in fifth place of the Challenger Class by the end of the First Day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: World Solar Challenge 2013)

PROVISIONAL RESULTS DAY 1 of World Solar Challenge 2013

Team Nuon from the Netherlands, in their solar car Nuna 7, took an early lead in the Challenger Class of the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and at the end of day one are approximately 633 kilometres south of Darwin. Just 32 kilometres behind at the Dunmarra Control Stop there is one minute separating second placed Team Twente in ‘Red Engine’ also from the Netherlands

THE RED ENGINE of University of Twente and Saxion, University of Applied Sciences-Solar Team Twente in Second Place by the End of The First Day, Oct. 6, 2013, during World Solar Challenge 2013, Challenger Class (Crdit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

and the 2011 Champion team Tokai from Japan, who as predicted, made up time early from 20th position on the starting grid.

TOKAI CHALLENGER of Tokai University (Japan)'s Tokai University Team in third place at the End of the First Day of World Solar Challenge 2013, Challenger Class (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

University of Michigan Solar Car Team’s-Generation, is in fourth place by the end of the first day.

GENERATION of University of Michigan Solar Car Team in Fourth of Challenger Class by the end of The First Day (Oct. 6, 2013) of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

approximately 10 kilometres out of Dunmarra with Australia’s Team Arrow showing they can mix it with the elite international field just behind in fifth place. In the Cruiser Class team Bochum from Germany

POWERCORE SUNCRUISER of Germany's University of Applied Sciences Bochum's Hochschule Bochum SolarCar Team in the first place of the Cruiser Class at World Solar Challenge 2013 by the end of the first day (Oct. 6, 2013) (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

is in first place approximately sixty kilometres north of Dunmarra, with team Eindhoven from the Netherlands

STELLA of Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands)'s Solar Team Eindhoven in second place for Cruiser Class by the end of the first day (Oct. 6, 2013) of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

just five kilometres behind in second place, the DAEDALUS of Minnesota Solar team from the University of Minnesota (USA) in third

DAEDALUS of University of Minnesota (USA) in third place of Cruiser Class by the end of the first day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: World Solar Challenge 2013).

place and University of NSW Sunswift team in fourth place

SUNSWIFT of University NSW (Australia) in Fourth of Cruiser Class by the end of the first day of World Solar Challenge 2013 (Credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)

approximately 100 kilometres north of Dunmarra. Leading the Adventure Class was Australia’s team Aurora who have never missed a solar challenge; followed by IVE from Hong Kong and Antakari from Chile.

For more photos and videos of World Solar Challenge 2013, please refer to links below:

Sunisthefuture Online Store at Zazzle
Keep in mind that the goal here at Sun Is The Future is to speed up the transition toward renewable/solar energy, for a cleaner, healthier, economically more prosperous, and safer planet earth.

~have a bright and sunny day~

gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any of your comments will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com (please note if you do not want your email to be shared)

I simply cannot contain myself when I heard the news! 2013 is going to be an amazing year for the World Solar Challenge (WSC)! The CEO of the South Australian Motor Sports Board, Mark Warren, announced on World Environment Day, June 5, 2013, not only the new classes and regulations for WSC, but the largest number of entries EVER in the history of World Solar Challenge! Yes, the new WSC is set to sizzle with the record breaking 43 teams from 24 countries, preparing to take on the Aussie outback in the 3,000 kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide between October 6-13, 2013.

Challenger Class: The slick, single seat aerodynamic vehicles making up the ‘Challenger class’, will be contested between the mostly big budget, solar powered elite, and line honours will go to the first car to travel 3,000 kilometres in a single stage across Australia under solar power. A major difference this year, however, is that they’ll have to do it on a four wheels, not three.

Cruiser Class: This class is in deference to those teams who commit to the ideals of building a car that will never be the first across the line. Their goal is not speed but practicality. Inspired by the 2009 German entry, ‘Bo-Cruiser‘ and their successor ‘SolarWorldGT‘

which circumnavigated the globe, teams in this class will be seeking to employ advanced technology and materials to create more traditional road vehicles. The cruisers will have the option of overnight charging at select locations and will be scored according to their energy efficiency and practical design features by a panel of judges.

Adventure Class: This class targets first time entrants often with lower budgets who are still developing their solar technology and encourages participation and learning on a global stage Route Map of World Solar Challenge (3,000 km between Darwin in the Northern Territory and travels the Stuart Highway to Port Augusta and then via Highway 1 to the finish line in the City of Adelaide in South Australia, October 6-13, 2013) As we await for this inspiring event of 2013, let me share an interview with the event organizer, Mr. Chris Selwood, during World Solar Challenge 2011, about the premise behind the World Solar Challenge, below:

Winning team of World Solar Challenge 2011, Tokai University's TokaiChallenger 2 from Japan, First to arrive at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia in Oct. of 2011 (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, photographer)

“We threw down the gauntlet asking designers to push the limits of new technology and innovation by creating three new formalized classes. We wanted to ensure our event remained at the forefront of technology driving experienced teams and industry sponsors to exceed past results and at the same time inspire newcomers. Their response has been a resounding, bring it on!” Mr. Warren said. “We now have the makings of our most competitive field ever-in terms of time, speed, energy efficiency and innovation. All our top contenders are back to chase line honors. The changes also mean teams in both Challenger and Cruiser classes will be competing in brand new cars.” “Last year’s winners from Tokai University in Japan Tokai Challenger are looking for their third straight victory and former champions, Nuon Solar Team from the Netherlands, who had to be satisfied with second in 2011, are working furiously on Nuna 7, vowing to fight until the finish to get the gold back to Delft University. Of course, there is also the US Solar Champion Michigan team Quantum of University of Michigan still trying to best their third place result,” he said.

and I’m told first time entrants from the University of Western Sydney don’t put too much stack in history. Sunswift from the University NSW are also confident they have the aerodynamic expertise and innovative design to win in their Cruiser category although the TAFE SA team will be doing their best too.

so numbered to signify they’ve not missed an event since the Challenge began in 1987. New Queensland team, Arrow, hopes experience from seasoned campaigners will build a legacy for others to follow,” Mr. Selwood said.

There will be more posts & videos coming every week between now and World Solar Challenge 2013. Keep coming back to Sun Is The Future for more on this amazing event!

Sorry about the delay of this post. There were simply too much to tend to in December of 2012.

(Please be sure to click on the red links below for more information.)

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Remember the three most difficult triad I’ve mentioned (back in the Dec. 1, 2012 post) historically associated with being the barrier to prevalent implementation of solar energy is: cost, efficiency, and battery storage. This post will complete our third element of the triad, demonstrating our hopeful future in battery storage technology.

In December of 2012, the Secretary Stephen Chu of U.S. Department of Energy announced the creation of a research center focusing on battery and energy storage technology. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded up to $120 million over five years to a multi-partner team led by Argonne National Laboratory

Aerial view of the Argonne National Laboratory (Credit; Argonne National Laboratory)

to establish a new batteries and energy-storage hub, also known as the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), will combine the research and development of:

JCESR is a major research partnership that integrates academic, government, and industrial researchers from many disciplines to overcome critical scientific and technical barriers and create new energy storage technology. This JCESR Consortium

JCESR conference in Chicago in December of 2012

is aiming to make U.S. a battery powerhouse, with an ambitious 5-year goal of developing batteries that will be 5-times more powerful and 5-times less expensive than the current battery technology. Below, is a video clip of the press conference at Chicago regarding JCESR:

“This is a partnership between world leading scientists and world leading companies, committed to ensuring that the advanced battery technologies the world needs will be invented and built right here in America,” said Secretary Chu. “Based on the tremendous advances that have been made in the past few years, there are very good reasons to believe that advanced battery technologies can and will play an increasingly valuable role in strengthening America’s energy and economic security by reducing our oil dependence, upgrading our aging power grid, and allowing us to take greater advantage of intermittent energy sources like wind and solar.”

Hear! Hear ! Secretary Chu! We look forward to the day when battery storage will no longer be a barrier but a promoter of prevalent implementation of solar energy! We hope Secretary Chu’s vision will enable the creation of a single-home, blackout immune solar power solution, which is only possible if storage technology improves, allowing a small solar grid to hang on to generated electricity in cases of disconnection from the traditional electrical grid.

Much is happening in the Solar World this year! Keep checking back for more exciting updates, fellow solar enthusiasts!

Due to the limitation (less than 20 minutes) YouTube has placed on sunisthefuture channel at the moment, I had to split the “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012” into two parts: part 1 is posted for August 14, 2012, and part 2 is posted for August 15, 2012, at http://sunisthefuture.net . Hope you have/will enjoy viewing these two parts of first movie production (w/music) here at sunisthefuture.net , sharing the trials, tribulations, joy, and exuberant energy of participants of American Solar Challenge 2012. One thing is for certain: it is the cooperative spirit and perpetual optimism of solar energy enthusiasts/industry (also seen among ASC2012 participants) that had brought down the cost of solar energy this past decade.

It is with both pleasure and excitement that I’d like to unveil the video of today, “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (2 of 2)”, for this is the first time for me to use movie/video editing software. I’ve learned that one needs to be relentless in cutting footage and meticulous in tapering the music at the beginning and ending of each segment. I’ve even explored many sites online for royalty free music (available at Pond5) and discovered that background music makes tremendous difference in the final product. There is definitely still much more to be learned. After spending much time editing various footage, synchronizing and fading in or fading out of the music, and overcoming frustration in having to deal with instability with certain movie making software, I’ve moved on to Adobe Premier Pro (much more reliable and time-saving). But for the moment, take a look at this clip below and compare it to the twenty-six videos already uploaded at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel (footages prior to yours truly’s attempt at compositing and adding of music) and either leave a comment below or email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com to let me know of your preference or suggestions. Without further ado, let’s share these very special moments, below:

In the “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012″, I selected only the most memorable moments (such as University of Michigan’s hydroplaning experience, Oregon State University’s picking up a cat and named it Tesla (in 1 of 2), Illinois State University’s encountering Ohio state police and receiving donuts in exchange for wearing hats, Principia College’s breaking their own record on speed of repair work, etc.) that occurred during this solar car race;those of you who were interviewed may still be able to find the uncut and uncomposited versions at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel. Please be very forgiving of my first time working with Adobe Premier Pro. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the fact that I can actually refer to myself as a producer, for the first time, in sharing these special moments of energized solar enthusiasts…driven by the magical dust of sunshine.

Be sure to also check out the part 1 of 2 of “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012” posted on August 14, 2012, of http://sunisthefuture.net .

Any of your comments, suggestions, concerns, and questions are welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com

It is with both pleasure and excitement that I’d like to unveil the video of today, “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (1 of 2) posted under August 14, 2012 and (2 of 2) will be posted under August 15, 2012) “, for this is the first time for me to use movie/video editing software. I’ve learned that one needs to be relentless in cutting footage and meticulous in tapering the music at the beginning and ending of each segment. I’ve even explored many sites online for royalty free music and discovered that background music makes tremendous difference in the final product. There is definitely still much more to be learned. After spending much time editing various footage, synchronizing and fading in or fading out of the music, and overcoming frustration in having to deal with instability with certain movie making software, I’ve moved on to Adobe Premier Pro (much more reliable and time-saving). But for the moment, take a look at this clip below and compare it to the twenty-six videos already uploaded at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel (footages prior to yours truly’s attempt at compositing and adding of music) and either leave a comment below or email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com to let me know of your preference or suggestions. In the “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012”, I selected only the most memorable moments (such as University of Michigan’s hydroplaning experience, Oregon State University’s picking up a cat and named it Tesla, Illinois State University’s encountering Ohio state police and receiving donuts in exchange for wearing hats, Principia College’s breaking their own record on speed of repair work, etc.) that occurred during this solar car race;those of you who were interviewed may still be able to find the uncut and uncomposited versions at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel. Please be very forgiving of my first time working with Adobe Premier Pro. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the fact that I can actually refer to myself as a producer, for the first time, in sharing these special moments of energized solar enthusiasts…driven by the magical dust of sunshine. I would also like to thank my hubby Michael Nunamaker for being very helpful in playing the part of a camera man and technical support whenever I needed an extra hand. Of course, this short film would not have been possible without all of those who sponsored and participated in American Solar Challenge 2012 (July 14, 2012-July 21, 2012). I look forward to producing more films for solar energy events in the future. Finally, due to the fact that I was learning to use 4-5 different pieces of software these past few days, I had to delay posting quite a few articles until the coming week. Keep checking because there will be quite a few new articles about various aspects of progress made in solar energy industry. Without further ado, “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (1 of 2)”, below, and “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (2 of 2) will soon follow (will be posted on August 15, 2012 at http://sunisthefuture.net):

This is a composite of most special moments of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012, filmed near the finish line, the Capitol Building of St. Paul, MN., on July 21, 2012. Footage are filmed mostly by Michael Nunamaker (segment on driver Larry Chan of University of MN is filmed by Susan Sun Nunamaker), interviewed, edited, and uploaded by Susan Sun Nunamaker of Sun Is The Future at http://sunisthefuture.net of Susan Sun Nunamaker. This is a project out of appreciation and belief in solar energy as the most promising CLEAN energy for the future of earthlings. We would like to share the trials, tribulations, and special moments of all participating schools (University of Michigan, Iowa State University, Western Michigan University, Principia College, MIT, CalSol/University of CA-Berkeley, University of Minnesota, Oregon State University, Illinois State University, Montreal Polytechnique, New Paltz/State Universtiy of NY, Michigan State University) students, and alumni during the American Solar Challenge (ASC) of 2012. The film has demonstrated the enthusiasm, cooperative spirit, and perpetual optimism pervasive among those involved with solar energy/industry. This is a car race of the most special kind, running on solar energy. We look forward to many more years of covering this special race.

For your viewing pleasure, I have edited/combined 26 videos in order to complete this film. Due to the purchased royalty free music added, this particular film will be under the Standard YouTube License rather than the Creative Commons License. I hope you will enjoy viewing it. If you’d like to get hold of the video under Creative Commons License, the original (uncomposited, without music) 26 video clips can be found at sunisthefuture YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/sunisthefuture?feature=results_main

“Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (2 of 2)” will be posted under August 15, 2012.
Again, any of your comments, questions, suggestions, concerns will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com

P.S. If any of you have any learning experience from working with Adobe After Effects, I’d appreciate any pointer or helpful links. Thank you.

Here are the results of Stage 5 and Overall Final Results of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012 you’ve been waiting for. July 21, 2012, was the end of the Stage 5 and overall American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012, right in front of the Capitol Building of St. Paul, MN. Even though there’s been rain during the early part of the day, the sky had cleared and the sun was welcomed by all participants and supporters of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012 around noon.

Capitol Building at St. Paul, MN, on July 21, 2012, the finish point of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012

Stage 5 Results

Team # and Name

LaCrosse Start 7/21

St. Paul Finish 7/21

Stage 5 Penalty Time

Stage 5 Elapsed Time

35 – Minnesota

09:05:00

12:58:57

00:00:00

03:53:57

32 – Principia

09:02:00

13:31:11

00:00:00

04:29:11

254 – CalSol

09:03:00

13:28:17

00:12:00

04:37:17

9 – Iowa State

09:01:00

13:50:42

00:00:00

04:49:42

2 – Michigan

09:00:00

14:23:55

00:00:00

05:23:55

20 – Western Michigan

09:05:00

14:36:52

00:00:00

05:31:52

256 – Oregon State

09:04:00

15:21:35

00:01:00

06:18:35

5 – Illinois State

09:07:00

Trailer

05:48:54

12:48:54

55 – Montreal

09:06:00

Trailer

04:38:15

11:38:15

28 – New Paltz

09:09:00

Trailer

06:27:42

13:27:42

4 – MIT

09:11:00

Trailer

07:08:48

14:08:48

Last updated 7/21/12 – 22:00 Central. Times given as hh:mm:ss.

Univ of MN team (with their solar car & mascot) was the first to arrive at the finish line of Stage 5

These photo images are photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker at http://sunisthefuture.net.

Images are under Creative Commons with Attribution (just mention photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker at http://sunisthefuture.net)

Principia College, the liberal arts college of about 500 students consistently overcame all challenges

CalSol/Univ of CA-Berkeley team running to greet their solar car

Iowa State University's Hyperion returning to the finish line, with its team members running along side of it

Univ of MI, came in first from Stage 1-4, and is the winner of overall American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012

Western Michigan University zoomed into the finish line in its golden chariot

Oregon State University solar car, escorted by its enthusiastic team members

Illinois State University completing the race, cheered on by supporters. This is also the team that was stopped by OH state trooper along their journey.

Finish on July 21st at Minnesota State Capitol, MLK Boulevard, St. Paul,
MN 55155.Finish line closes at 4pm.

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Now that I’ve gotten your attention, I would also like to take this opportunity to share a video clip of a discussion/interview involving two leaders of our energy world, Mr. Bill Gates and Secretary of Department of Energy Steven Chu in discussing how America can meet and prosper from 21st century global energy challenges (moderated by John Podesta during the ARPA-E2012 Summit), below.

I would also like to share another important incentive policy for renewable/solar energy, Feed-In-Tariff(please click) that would help to speed up our transition into renewable energy age.

~have a bright and sunny day~

Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker

Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com

Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics: